Event Saved

Newcity presents Author Stephen Rodrick and The Magical Stranger

Thursday, May 23, 2013 at 7:00 PM (CDT)

Ticket Information

Ticket Type

Sales End

Price

Fee

Quantity

Double VIP Package

Reserved seating for two, one copy of the book with priority access to author signing and a glass each of wine specially selected for the event by The Boarding House's Alpana Singh (i.e. two glasses)—or a signature mocktail for non-drinkers

Ended

$50.00

$0.00

Single VIP Package

Reserved seating for one, one copy of the book with priority access to author signing and a glass of wine specially selected for the event by The Boarding House's Alpana Singh—or a signature mocktail for non-drinkers

Ended

$40.00

$0.00

General Admission

This ticket does not guarantee seating. Books and wine can be purchased a la carte, at full price.

Event Details

Newcity invites you to spend an evening with renowned journalist Stephen Rodrick, on the occasion of the publication of his book, "The Magical Stranger: A Son's Journey Into His Father's Life"

Thursday, May 23, 7pm

The Boarding House

720 North Wells

Free, but reservations are requested and seating is not guaranteed without purchasing a package

Double VIP Package: $50 includes

reserved seating for two

a copy of the book with priority access to author signing

A glass each of wine specially selected for the event by The Boarding House's Alpana Singh (i.e. two glasses)—or a signature mocktail for non-drinkers

Single VIP Package: $40 includes

reserved seating for one

a copy of the book with priority access to author signing

A glass of wine specially selected for the event by The Boarding House's Alpana Singh—or a signature mocktail for non-drinkers

Food items and additional wine selections will be available for purchase from The Boarding House's Cellar menu.

Additional books will be available for purchase at the event via The Book Cellar

In addition to reading from his new book, Rodrick will discuss some of his most talked-about articles, including his profiles of Judd Apatow* and Dennis Rodman for The New York Times Magazine. His story earlier this year in the same magazine, "Here Is What Happens When You Cast Lindsay Lohan In Your Movie," about the making of Paul Schrader's "The Canyons," was one of the most discussed magazine articles, perhaps ever. But we're most excited to hear him talk about the month he spent in North Dakota last year ("Greetings From Williston, North Dakota," Men's Journal July 2012) and not because it's Phil Jackson's hometown or because it's been optioned for the movies by Ron Shelton of "Bull Durham" fame.

Rodrick's first book, "The Magical Stranger," will be published by Harper Collins in May. On November 28, 1979, Commander Peter Rodrick died when his plane crashed in the Indian Ocean. He was just thirty-six and had been the commanding officer of his squadron for 127 days. Eight thousand miles away on Whidbey Island, near Seattle, he left behind a wife who never recovered, two daughters, and a thirteen-year-old son who would grow up to be a writer—one who was drawn to write about his father, his family, and the devastating consequences of military service.

This event represents a homecoming to Chicago for Rodrick, who got his start as a journalist on the staff of Newcity.** Before becoming a journalist, Rodrick worked as a deputy press secretary for United States Senator Alan J. Dixon. He holds a bachelors and masters in political science from Loyola University of Chicago and a masters in journalism from Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism.

* Apatow blurbed Rodrick's book. Rodman and Lohan did not. Apatow wrote, "'The Magical Stranger" is the true story of a boy chasing a ghost and stumbling into manhood. It is heartbreaking and funny, broken and hopeful, often on the same page."

** Among other things, he covered music. Accordingly, he's crafted a special playlist for this event which he promises to fill "with appropriate mope indie rock and some Bacharach and Beach Boys."